Green Countertops in Any Color
October 2, 2008 by boygreen
When choosing countertops for your green building project, there are several aspects to consider:
- Sustainability means durability - you don’t want to install cheap products that will wear out or appear dated after just a few years. Request a sample of the product you’re considering and try scratching and chipping it to see how it holds up. Ask yourself if you’ll still love it in 10 years.
- Consider the source - how far did the countertop material have to travel? What are the working conditions there?
- Check VOC levels - some countertops may contain recycled materials, but what holds them together? What sort of sealer is applied? These glues and sealants may contain VOCs that ends up in the air inside your home.
There are so many choices when it comes to countertops. So which countertop materials are the greenest?
Vetrazzo
Vetrazzo contains 85% recycled content. Made from recycled glass and cement, the countertops are comparable to granite when it comes to maintenance and durability. The company is member of the USGBC and products are manufactured in the US and contains no VOCs.
Richlite
Richlite’s FSC line is a paper based countertop sourced from FSC managed renewable forests. The countertops come in several stain-resistant and heat-resistant colors and are 99% VOC-free.
IceStone
Made from 100% recycled glass and concrete, these countertops come in virtually every color. They are VOC-free, durable and heat-resistant.
Bio-Glass
If you’re looking for something different, check out Bio-Glass. Made from 100% recycled glass, these countertops have a unique look, almost a glow.
Concrete
Concrete can be a green choice for countertops. By choosing to use concrete from local sources and applying VOC-free stains and sealants, the end result is a customized countertop that rivals most in performance and “greenness,” especially if a fly-ash mix is used.
LEED points can be obtained using most of these materials.
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